Kappa Pi CONSTITUTION & RITUAL
Kappa Pi International Art Honor Society
Table oF CONTENTS Constitution of Kappa Pi
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Ritual of Kappa Pi
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Constitution oF Kappa Pi ARTICLE I
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 1
The name of this Honor Society will be Kappa Pi.
SECTION 2
The purpose of this Honor Society will be to form bodies of representative students who will, by their influence and artistic interests, uphold the highest ideals of a liberal education; to provide a means whereby students with artistic and communication; to raise the standards of productive artistic work among the students in the colleges and universities; to furnish the highest reward for conscientious effort in furthering the best interest of the art in the broadest sense of the term, by election of membership in the Honor Society, based upon such meritorious work.
SECTION 3
The colors will be purple and gold.
SECTION 4
The flower will be the purple iris.
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ARTICLE II THE HONOR SOCIETY SECTION 1
The Honor Society will be an International Collegiate Art Honorary Society, having as members all whose talents and achievements will have been duly initiated into membership
SECTION 2
The government of the Honor Society will be vested in the hands of the International Officers of the Honor Society, the Executive Council, the Inter national Conventions, and the Chapters, as designated hereinafter under the powers and duties of such authorities.
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ARTICLE III INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS SECTION 1
The International Officers of the Honor Society will be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, and Past President. The President will appoint a Parliamentarian.
SECTION 2
The President will have the following duties: To call and preside over all Conventions and all general meetings of the Officers; with the assistance of the Executive Council, to supervise and direct the proceedings of the Honor Society; to decide all questions of law and order, and all appeals, the decisions will be binding; to supervise the work of the Honor Society, and, with the assistance of the Executive Council, to appoint vacancies in such offices to hold until the next succeeding International Convention. The President will receive payment for actual expenses of the office.
SECTION 3
The Vice-President will assist the President in as directed. In the event of incapacity or vacancy of the Presidency, the Vice-President will act as President. The Vice-President will serve as Expansion Officer and will perform any other duties assigned, including coordination of Alumni activities. The Vice-President will encourage the continuance and interest of chapters currently on roll and the establishment of new chapters.
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SECTION 4
The Secretary will keep complete records of the proceedings of all Conventions and meetings of the Executive Council and will furnish data on these matters to the Executive Council. Other duties may be assigned by the President. The Secretary will maintain records pertinent to a continuing history of the organization.
SECTION 5
The treasurer will collect and have custody of all fees, dues and other monies due to the Honor Society. An adequate security bond will be provided by the Honor Society for the Office. An audit of accounts will be presented to the Executive Council annually, and an annual financial report will be provided by each chapter. Financial business of the Honor Society requiring a signature will be consigned by the President.
SECTION 6
The Editor will edit and publish all Honor Society publications under the direction of the President and the Executive Council.
SECTION 7
Vacancies in the Presidency in an interim between Conventions will be filled by the Executive Council in the order in which they are named in the Convention.
SECTION 8
All officers will be elected for four years, with re-election of a maximum of two additional terms permissible.
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SECTION 9
The President and the Treasurer will be elected for staggered terms with a two year separation.
SECTION 10
All officers will serve terms coinciding with that of the President.
SECTION 11
Nominations will be made by a Committee, made of three members and appointed by the President. Information on nominated candidates will be sent to each currently active chapter.
SECTION 12
Ballots will be returned to the Secretary for tabulation within a two week period, if conducted through the mail, and election will be determined by votes from a majority of these Chapters. Chapters will be duly notified as soon as feasible.
SECTION 13
International Officers will be exempt from membership fees while serving.
SECTION 14
Prior approved expenses of various Offices will be paid from the treasury. Expenses incurred by the Executive Council members for called meetings and conventions will be reimbursed by the Honor Society.
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ARTICLE IV THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SECTION 1
The governing body of the Honor Society will be an Executive Council, consisting of the Immediate Past President and all of the elected Officers.
SECTION 2
The Executive Council will have the power to grant charters to new Chapters and to withdraw any charter at its discretion. A two-thirds vote is required to grant a charter, and a unanimous vote is required for a withdrawal of a charter. The withdrawal of a charter is also subject to the regulations stated in Article VI, Section 7.
SECTION 3
A vote upon any question may be taken by the Executive Council, either in a meeting or by proxy under the direction of the President.
SECTION 4
For non-performance of duty any Officer of the Honor Society may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Executive Council.
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SECTION 5
The Executive Council will act with authority on all matters not otherwise provided by the Constitution or passed by a Convention of the Honor Society. By a unanimous vote, the Executive Council may suspend any Section of the Constitution of the Honor Society, and by a similar vote a Convention may do likewise, when this action will be deemed necessary for the good of the Honor Society and such action is advisable in the judgment of the members of either Body.
SECTION 6
The Executive Council will authorise all disbursements of funds other than those for the general expenses of the Honor Society.
SECTION 7
A quorum at the meetings of the Executive Council will consist of the actual presence of two-thirds of the members of that Body.
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ARTICLE V
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
SECTION 1
The Honor Society will hold a Convention (or Conference) at such time and place as the President, under the direction of the Executive Council will decide.
SECTION 2
By a unanimous vote of the Executive Council, any meeting may be suspended with for sufficient reasons. T h e work of a C onvention may be ca r r i ed i nto execution by mail, including all legislative, elective, and other duties.
SECTION 3
Notices of all Conventions or Conferences must be sent at least one month in advance of the date on which they are to be held.
SECTION 4
Membership of the Conventions or Conference will consist of Officers of the Honor Society, on delegate from each Chapter, and Past International Presidents.
SECTION 5
The Convention will receive written status reports from each Chapter and from each member of the Executive Council. It will legislate on all matters pertaining to the welfare of the Honor Society.
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SECTION 6
Special Conventions or Conferences may be called on written application from three-fourths of the Active Chapters of the Honor Society, presented to the Executive Council. Their powers will be restricted to such matters as are related in their official calls.
SECTION 7
A quorum of a Convention will consist of delegates from at least one-half of the current Active Chapters of the Honor Society.
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ARTICLE VI
CHAPTER MEETINGS
SECTION 1
Chapter membership in the Honor Society will be limited to art student groups at Universities, Colleges, and Art Schools of good standing.
SECTION 2
When a group desires to affiliate with Kappa Pi, it will send a petition to the International President accompanied by the charter fee of $50.00. The sum will be held by the International Treasurer in escrow until final action is taken by the Executive Council.
SECTION 3
The International President will send the petition with a recommendation and appropriate information to the Executive Council. Each Executive Council member, upon receipt of said papers, will approve or disapprove the petition, sending notice of action, with reasons therefore. Failure to reply within ten days constitutes an affirmative vote of any Executive Officer.
SECTION 4
The petitioning group will be notified if two-thirds of the Executive Council ratify the application. A charter signed by the International President, will be forwarded to the group. Before the charter is issued, all fees will be in the hands of the International President and the signed report to that effect in the hands of the Installing Officer.
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SECTION 5
The petition sent to the Honor Society will be accompanied by a current catalogue of the Institution. All petitioners will be regularly recognized students or faculty members of the Institution. The petition will include at least ten signatures, including faculty. The petition will have letters of approval from an administrative officer of the Institution and the Chair of the art department.
SECTION 6
Each Chapter will be chartered under the name of the Institution where it is located, and will also be designated by Greek letters which will be bestowed upon it in accordance with its date of founding in regular sequence, as ALPHA, BETTA, GAMMA; and when doubling of letters shall by required, ALPHA ALPHA, ALPHA BETA, etc., will be used.
SECTION 7
Any charter may be withdrawn for good and sufficient reasons. A Chapter under charges will be notified of the charges and allowed one month in which to make a defense, which will be presented to the Executive Council. A two-thirds vote of the Executive Council will be required for the withdrawal of a charter. The inactivity of a chapter, including a failure to elect officers or members or to make the required reports or negligence in paying required fees or dues, will make a Chapter liable to the withdrawal of its charter. Upon request a Chapter may be reinstated by two-thirds vote of the Executive Council.
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ARTICLE VII CHAPTER REGULATIONS SECTION 1
Eligibility to membership will be based primarily on achievement in the field of art. Invitations to membership will be extended to all without regard to other fraternity or sorority affiliations.
SECTION 2
The Honor Society will be composed of Active, Alumni, Sponsor, Faculty, Associate, Honorary, Patron, and Life memberships.
SECTION 3
Active membership will be composed of those matriculates of the colleges, universities, and art schools having Chapters of Kappa Pi, who have been regularly elected to membership in the Honor Society, and who have been duly initiated into membership according to the Ritual and Laws of the Honor Society. Minimum requirements for consideration will be: [ 1 ] completion of twelve semester hours, or its equivalent, of art with a B average in these art subjects, or [ 2 ] one year of professional work in some field of art. Chapters may raise these minimum requirements to meet local conditions. An academic average of a C is recommended. Admission to membership in any Active Chapter will be by majority vote of all active members.
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SECTION 4
Alumni membership will be composed of those who have been active members of the Honor Society.
SECTION 5
Sponsor Membership will be limited to members from Institution, who will be exempt from fees and dues of the Honor Society. A membership certificate will be issued free of charge. Sponsor Members will have no voting power outside their Institute.
SECTION 6
Faculty Members, in addition to Chapter Sponsors, who are interested in art, will be invited by the local Chapter to affiliate on the basis of payment of International dues of $10.00 with no initiation fee. A certificate of membership will be issued upon payment of fees.
SECTION 7
Associate Membership will be composed of those who have not met the academic requirements, and will have no voting power. Record blanks for such Associate Members will be filled out and sent to the International President by the secretary of any local Chapter admitting them to membership. They pay the regular fee of $25.00 before initiation and annual dues thereafter.
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SECTION 8
Candidates for the Honorary Membership should be of outstanding achievement in the visual arts. These names may be proposed by any member, through their Chapter. Nominations sent to the International Office must be accompanied by literature, slides (if possible), resume, and personal glossy black and white print to be featured in the current Honor Society magazine.
SECTION 9
Patron Membership will be granted to those who contribute generously in the field of art through gifts, endowments, and art scholarships which enrich the community and/or Institutions near which a chapter is located.
SECTION 10
Life Membership is open to any member in the above categories who makes a contribution to the Fellowship Endowment, as directed in the Section under Fees. These members will be listed in each issue of an annual publication.
SECTION 10
Life Membership is open to any member in the above categories who makes a contribution to the Fellowship Endowment, as directed in the Section under Fees. These members will be listed in each issue of an annual publication.
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SECTION 11
Each Chapter is free to formulate its own By-Laws, provided they are in accord with the spirit of the Honor Society and not in conflict with the Constitution hereof. A copy of these By-Laws will be sent to the International Office and if necessary, for approval of the Executive Council.
SECTION 12
Each Chapter secretary will send to the International President complete rolls of the members in its Chapter, with their addresses, and the names and addresses of its officers as dues are paid. Each Alumni Chapter will make a similar report to the International President.
SECTION 13
Before initiation of any member into the Honor Society by any Chapter, the chapter secretary will forward complete membership lists to the International President with the proper fees. Name changes of members will be forwarded as soon as possible to the International President. The International President will keep due records thereof, and fill out and forward to the proper authority in the Chapter the new member certificates.
SECTION 14
Annually, by March first of each year, each chapter secretary will send to the International President, copies of his Chapter’s report, detailing the work accomplished during the past year so that Officers may keep in touch with the work of the Chapters and so these reports may be published in The Sketch Book.
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ARTICLE VIII
FEES
SECTION 1
The charter fee for new Chapters, forwarded with petitions to the International President, will be $50.00.
SECTION 2
There will be an initiation fee of $25.00 per prospective initiate, to be forwarded to the International President within three weeks of the time of the initiation. Every Chapter must collect all initiation fees in full from all prospective initiates prior to their admission or initiation.
SECTION 3
All active members will pay annual dues of $10.00. These dues will include a subscription to The Sketchpad newsletter and The Sketch Book magazine for the current year.
SECTION 4
The schedule of fees for additional classes of membership will be as follows: [ a ] Alumni: Annual dues of $10.00; Publication subscription included. [ b ] Sponsor: No fees, and receive publications. [ c ] Faculty: Annual dues of $10.00; Publication subscription included. [ d ] Associate: $25.00 initiation fee; $10.00 annual dues; Publication subscription included.
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[ e ] Honorary: Receive two copies of the publication in which they are featured. [ f ] Patron: Significant gifts as indicated above in Article VII, Section 9; Certificates of membership and pertinent publications are sent to these members. [ g ] Life: A contribution of $100.00 to the International Scholarship Endowment entitles the donor to Life Membership; A special certificate and listing is made in an annual publication.
SECTION 5
Initiation fees cover publications subscriptions for the year of initiation.
SECTION 6
Gifts may be made to the International Honor Society by members, Chapters, or interested individuals. Such gifts can be designated; if the donor desires, for such purposes as the International Scholarship Endowment, or for other purposes.
SECTION 7
Scholarship funds are derived from interest on the International Scholarship Fund.
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ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1
This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Council.
Amended by Executive Council 2000
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Ritual oF Kappa Pi SUGGESTED ARRANGEMENTS The actual arrangement of the room for initiation can be adapted to the space and properties available. It is hoped that the ceremony will be impressive, dignified, and beautiful. Pins and certificates of membership to be given and the register to be signed are arranged at the front or on adjoining tables. The pins are supplied by the International President along with the membership certificates which are to be distributed to the initiates. Arrangements for these need to be made at least three weeks in advance. A large illustration of the Coat-of-Arms should be made or secured, if possible to have on display at the front of the room. The Coat-of-Arms can be found on the inside back cover of The Sketch Book (along with an explanation of the symbols). This illustration can be enlarged by any means on mat or illustration board for this purpose. As a suggestion, two or more candles, and flowers, using Honor Society colors are arranged on a table at the front of a semi-darkened room. Alternately, one large candle could be used from which initiates could light individual candles carried into the room and then placed in receptacles on the front table. In addition to the conductor, four officers conduct the initiation ceremonies.
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Initiates will be brough tto the front of the room by a conductor and will remain standing until asked to be seated by the presiding officer. Alternately, initiates may be accompanied by member sponsors who conduct them to their positions and remain standing behind each initiate’s chair throughout the ceremony. Or, the sponsoring members could be standing in position behind the chairs for the initiates, who would then be escorted into the room by a conductor. The local chapter may prefer, if they have a small group, for the initiates and their sponsors to remain standing in a semi-circle in front of the table.
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CONDUCTOR (Mr. Mrs. or Ms.) President, I am honored to present to you these candidates for membership in our Honor Society.
PRESIDING OFFICER:
(traditionally the President)
It is a pleasure to be the initiating officer of this group of candidates for membership in the _________ Chapter of Kappa Pi International Art Honor Society. Each of you have been invited to become a member of Kappa Pi because of special qualifications in art. You are to be congratulated for your achievements which have resulted in this recognition. WILL THE INITIATES PLEASE BE SEATED Our Vice-President (or other officer) (named) will provide information on our Honor Society. (Optional depending on local chapter desires.)
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SECOND OFFICER You have been invited to join an organization that was founded in 1911 at the University of Kentucky. In the intervening _______ years, _______ chapters have been installed in colleges and universities in many parts of the United States and abroad. There are eight classes of membership in Kappa Pi. The category of active membership is the one that you initiates will soon fill. Sponsors and additional Faculty memberships involve the participation of the faculty in our organization. Alumni members are former active members, or those selected to alumni membership, who continue to participate in Kappa Pi after graduation. Associate memberships bring supporters of the arts into our Honor Society. Honorary members of Kappa Pi are selected on the basis of outstanding achievement in some phase of art. Through Patron members and Life members, those who make significant contributions to the arts or to the International Kappa Pi Scholarship Endowment are recognized. The International organization has contributed to the development of talent among university and college students through scholarships that are awarded annually. Perhaps one of the members of this chapter will receive recognition from the International Chapter through a scholarship. Our Secretary (or other officer) (named) will now give a resume of the achievements and goals of this chapter.
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THIRD OFFICER (Presents briefly a survey of achievements and goals of the local chapter including such things as: local scholarships, exchange exhibitions, involvement in community and on campus art programs and projects, etc.,). Our Treasurer (or other officer) (named) will provide information on the Honor Society.
FOURTH OFFICER (As the officer makes a statement about details of Honor Society information, responses can be provided by active members who are present and with whom arrangements have been previously made. This is only a suggested arrangement, optional with the local chapter. If the chapter has a large model of the Coat-of-Arms on display, the significance of the design may be pointed out, as indicated in the first of these statements below.) The interpretation of Kappa Pi Coat-of-Arms is printed each year on the inside back cover of The Sketch Book.
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You will notice the shield has symbols which relate to _________________________________________________ (THE PROFESSIONS AND FIELDS OF ART)
Above the shield, the palette and brushes signify _________________________________________________ (STUDIO PHASES OF ART)
The name of our Society in the scroll below the shield suggests _________________________________________________ (ACHIEVEMENT IN THE FIELD OF ART)
The colors of Kappa Pi are: Purple and gold, representing truth and sincerity. The flower of Kappa Pi is: The purple iris, which signifies excellence. The motto of Kappa Pi is: “Art colors life and enriches living” Now our President (or other initiating officer) (named) will conclude the ceremony and administer the pledge of Kappa Pi.
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PRESIDING OFFICER You initiates in your quest for excellence in art have learned many lessons. We trust these will remain with you throughout your lives as a foundation for your work. Your training will have given you insights which we hope you will share with others. Perspective in one’s life has a role even more significant than that which applies in the studio. Your selection for membership in Kappa Pi is both an honor and a privilege. We are pleased that you, by your presence here, have accepted the honor of membership. We hope that you will also accept the responsibility of membership in this Honorary Society which exemplifies excellence and leadership. WILL THE INITIATES PLEASE STAND (Omit if candidates and sponsors stand throughout the ceremony.)
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Will each of you in the initiate group listen carefully to the pledge of Kappa Pi as I state it. (The chapter may use a statement and response procedure for the pledge.) I hereby pledge to do my best to develop my potential as an artist or as an interpreter of art to others. I pledge myself to help all student artists as much as I can, and to assist in training and directing public opinion into deeper appreciation of the arts. I further pledge myself to help all student artists as much as I can, and to assist in the training and directing public opinion into a deeper appreciation of the arts. I further pledge my efforts to enhance my future environment for the aesthetic enrichment of my fellow human beings. IF YOU SO PLEDGE Answer: I do. I now declare you full-fledged members of the ________ chapter of Kappa Pi with all the honors and responsibilities that attach thereto. Congratulations on this achievement.
SECOND OFFICER Will you please come forward as your name is called to sign the register and receive your certificate and pin. (Officer calls each name and the President or presiding officer hands the initiate the certificate, the third officer and the fourth officer has each sign the register.)
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Kappa Pi Executive offices 5th avenue cleveland, ms 38732